Containerized access control system

ABSTRACT

A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/205,419 filed Aug. 8, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/818,899 filed Jun. 18, 2010, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/992,126 filed Nov. 19,2004. The entirety of all of the above-listed applications areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed generally to access control systemsand specifically to portable access control systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a perspective view of aportable container 110, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the portable container110, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a detailed top cross-sectional view of a passing room 30 and acontrol room 40, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a passing room 30 and a controlroom 40, according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The Containerized Access Control Unit

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a perspective view of aportable container 110, according to embodiments of the invention. Theportable container 110 has housing 20, which, in one embodiment, isrectangular shaped. However, any other shape is also possible. Thehousing 20 can be made of a durable material (e.g., iron, stainlesssteel), enabling the portable container 110 to be securely towed by avehicle. One or both ends of the portable container 110 can be equippedto be towed by a vehicle. In addition, a security system to ensure thatonly authorized vehicles move the portable container 110 can also beincluded. Furthermore, fencing 63 or other material may be attached tothe portable container 110 to surround a secured area 62 (e.g., see FIG.5).

FIG. 3 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the portable container110, according to one embodiment of the invention. The portablecontainer 110 comprises at least one passing room 30, which is providedfor controlling and directing the movement of people between two areas.In addition, the portable container 110 can also comprise at least onecontrol room 40, for housing a guard or supervisor.

The portable container 110 can be a standard shipping container. In oneembodiment, the standard shipping container can be a shipping containerwhich complies with international standards as determined by theInternational Organization for Standardization (ISO). In one embodiment,the shipping container can include the following features: made fromcorrugated steel; heavy steel framed to withstand repeated lifting andplacing; able to hold a cargo as large as 30 tons; marine grade plywoodflooring; lockable accessible doors on one or both sides of the shippingcontainer; forklift pockets; corner connectors; or a venting system; orany combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the portable container 110 can be delivered to a userin a ready-made or turn-key state. In this case, if electricity is notrequired, the portable container 110 is ready to be used. If electricityis required, all that needs to be done to render the portable container110 usable is the provision of electricity. In another embodiment, theportable container can be customized by the user to meet specific needsof the user.

FIG. 4 is a detailed top cross-sectional view of a passing room 30 and acontrol room 40, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Passing Room. The passing room 30 controls the movement of peoplebetween area 60 and another area 62. A fence 63 can also be used toseparate areas 60 and 62 in locations where the portable containers 110are not used. The passing room 30 has at least a first opening 32, andat least a second opening 34, which in one embodiment is on a sideopposite the first opening 32. However, the first opening 32, secondopening 34, and additional openings can be located on any side of thepassing room 30, including being located on the same side of the passingroom 30. The second opening 34 is spaced apart from the first opening 32so as to define a walkway 36 in-between. A closing device 33 (e.g., adoor, shutters) is employed to close the openings 32 and 34 when passingroom 30 is not in use. A security sensing device for safeguarding theclosing device 33 can be employed.

The portable container 110 can comprise at least one barrier device 38in the inside of the passing room 30, which restricts a person'smovement through the passing room 30. In one embodiment, a turnstile(e.g., a full-body turnstile, a partial-body turnstile, a bi-directionalturnstile, or a uni-directional turnstile) is employed as a barrierdevice of the portable container 110, but other barrier device may beused to restrict a person's movement through the passing room 30. Forexample, a sliding door, a revolving door, moving bars, and gates may beused as a barrier device. The barrier device 38 is located inside thewalkway 36, defining a first space 50 between the barrier device 38 andthe first opening 32, and defining a second space 52 between the barrierdevice 38 and the second opening 34.

In one embodiment, the passing room 30 can alternatively include atleast one security device 54 issuing permission for a person to passthrough the passing room 30. In one embodiment, the security device 54can comprise, but is not limited to, one or more card readers, metaldetectors, biometric readers, iris scanners, fingerprint or palmreaders, explosive detectors, physical or facial recognition technology,electronic key locks, or mechanical key locks, or any combinationthereof. The security device 54 can also include a security measure,such as, but not limited to, posting an individual proximate to thebarrier device 38 to check identification cards (e.g., photoidentification cards, licenses). In one embodiment, a security device 54is located in the first space 50 and also in the second space 52.Security devices 54 can be included inside or outside of the passingroom.

The passing room 30 can also comprise lighting.

Control Room. In one embodiment, a control room 40 is provided forhousing a guard or supervisor. The control room 40 can include a controlpanel 42 to control the barrier device(s) 38 and the security device(s)54 in order for a guard or supervisor to monitor the passing room whilestaying in the control room 40. The control panel 42 can comprise analarm device 43 which gives an alarm in case a problem occurs in thepassing room 30.

The control room 40 and the passing room 30 are separated by at leastone wall 12. The wall 12 can comprise at least one window 14, so that aguard in the control room 40 can observe the inside of the passing room30 or the outside of the portable container 110. The control room 40 hasat least one opening 44 with at least one closing device 45. The closingdevice(s) 45 of the control room 40 can be the same as, or differentfrom, the closing device(s) 33 of the passing room 30.

The control room 40 can also comprise: heat and/or air-conditioning;lighting; at least one computer/cable outlet; at least one phone jack;at least one electrical outlet; at least one vent; or insulation; or anycombination thereof.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a passing room 30 and a controlroom 40, according to one embodiment of the invention. As the portablecontainer 110 has a housing 20 which comprises both the at least onepassing room 30 and the at least one control room 40, it is easy forusers to move and use almost anywhere. The portable container haseverything that a user needs to control access to an area.

Use of the Containerized Access Control Unit

The portable container 110 can be put on a vehicle or trailer andtransported or towed to reach multiple destinations, and can be used tocontrol access to an area. The portable container may be used by peoplewho have an access device (e.g., people working on a construction site).The access device is read by the security device. The portable container110 may also be used by people that do not have an access device, butwho must pass through security to enter a venue (e.g., an outsideconcert).

Use with Access Device. If the portable container 110 is being used inconjunction with an access device, when a person approaches the passingroom 30 from an area 60 and enters the first opening 32, the person canstay in the first space 50 in the walkway 36 and present an accessdevice (e.g., identification or electronically read card) to thesecurity device 54. In one embodiment, because the security device 54 islocated inside the passing room, the chance that the person will lose orbreak an identification card or device is decreased because the persondoes not need to expose the identification card or device outside of theportable container 110. The portable container 110 also protects thesecurity device 54, because the security device 54 is located inside ofthe passing room 30.

In one embodiment, the barrier device remains locked or closed until theaccess device is successfully read by the security device 54. Once aperson is approved by the security device 54, the barrier device 38 isunlocked and the person can go through the barrier device 38. If aperson is not approved by the security device 54, the barrier device 38continues to be kept locked, and, the control panel 42 can give an alarmto a guard via the alarm device 43.

Use without Access Device. If the portable container 110 is being usedwithout an access device, when a person approaches the passing room 30from an area 60 and enters the first opening 32, the person can stay inthe first space 50 in the walkway 36 and go through the security device54 (e.g., a metal detector). In one embodiment, the barrier device 38can be the same device as the security device 54 (e.g., the metaldetector). In another embodiment, a separate barrier device can be usedto stop persons from accessing the secured area 62. The barrier device38 remains locked or closed until the security device 54 or securitypersonnel authorizes a person to enter the secured area 62. Once aperson is approved, the barrier device 38 is unlocked and the person cango through the barrier device 38. If a person is not approved, thebarrier device 38 continues to be kept locked, and, the control panel 42can give an alarm to a guard via the alarm device 43. Alternatively, thebarrier device can remain open until locked by security personnel, forexample.

Manufacturing of the Containerized Access Control Unit

In one embodiment, a standard shipping container is filled with materialto be shipped at a first location. Then, the container is shipped to asecond location. The container is next unloaded at the second location.Next, the container is outfitted as an access control unit after thecontainer is unloaded. In one embodiment, the second location can beoverseas from the first embodiment.

Conclusion

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled inthe relevant art(s) that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In fact, after reading the above description, it will beapparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement theinvention in alternative embodiments. Thus, the present invention shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

In addition, it should be understood that the figures, which highlightthe functionality and advantages of the present invention, are presentedfor example purposes only. The architecture of the present invention issufficiently flexible and configurable, such that it may be utilized inways other than that shown in the accompanying figures.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosureis not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present inventionin any way.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An access control system, comprising: aportable container comprised of durable material enabling the portablecontainer to withstand repeated lifting, placing and towing, theportable container including access openings defined as openings thatprovide access through the portable container between a first area onone side of the portable container and a second area on a second side ofthe portable container, all of the access openings being lockable orclosable to prevent access through the portable container, and whereinthe first area and the second area defining a surface upon which thecontainer sits; at least one passing room disposed in the portablecontainer, the at least one passing room having at least a first passingroom opening, and at least a second passing room opening, and a walkwayin-between, wherein a floor of the at least one passing room spansbetween the first area and the second area such that the floor lays in aplane immediately adjacent the surface defined with respect to the firstarea and the second area; at least one barrier device located in thepassing room, defining a first space between the first passing roomopening and the at least one barrier device, and a second space betweenthe at least one barrier device and the second passing room opening; andat least one electronic control coupled to the at least one barrierdevice so that the at least one electronic control actuates the at leastone barrier device to permit or block passage through the at least onebarrier device to thereby prevent unauthorized access from the firstarea into the second area; wherein the at least one passing roomcomprises walls defining a single, substantially linear path for eachpassing room from the first passing room opening, to the barrier device,to the second passing room opening.
 2. The access control system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one passing room contains the at least oneelectronic control, which is electronically coupled to the at least onebarrier device to provide authorization for a person to pass through theat least one barrier device.
 3. The access control system of claim 2,wherein the at least one electronic control includes one or more cardreaders, one or more metal detectors, one or more biometric readers, oneor more iris scanners, one or more fingerprint readers, one or morefacial recognition technology, one or more explosive detectors, one ormore electronic key locks, or one or more mechanical key locks, or acombination of two or more thereof.
 4. The access control system ofclaim 2, wherein the at least one electronic control is located outsidethe at least one passing room.
 5. The access control system of claim 1,further comprising enclosing material to separate a first area adjacentthe at least a first passing room opening from an area adjacent the atleast a second passing room opening, the container being disposedadjacent to the enclosing material.
 6. The access control system ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one control area, which comprisesat least one control panel.
 7. The access control system of claim 6,wherein the at least one control panel controls the at least oneelectronic control to enable a person to monitor the at least onepassing room from the at least one control area.
 8. The access controlsystem of claim 1, wherein the wall includes at least one window.
 9. Theaccess control system of claim 1, wherein the container is delivered ina turnkey state.
 10. The access control system of claim 1, wherein theat least one passing room provides a substantially linear path from thefirst passing room opening to the second passing room opening.
 11. Amethod of controlling passage, comprising: monitoring persons who aredesiring to pass through a portable container comprised of durablematerial enabling the portable container to withstand repeated lifting,placing and towing, the portable container including access openingsdefined as openings that provide access through the portable containerbetween a first area on one side of the portable container and a secondarea on a second side of the portable container, all of the accessopenings being lockable or closable to prevent access through theportable container, and wherein the first area and the second areadefining a surface upon which the container sits, the containerincluding at least one passing room, the at least one passing roomhaving at least a first opening and at least a second opening and awalkway in-between, wherein a floor of the at least one passing roomspans between the first area and the second area such that the floorlays in a plane immediately adjacent the surface defined with respect tothe first area and the second area, and at least one barrier devicelocated in the passing room, defining a first space between the firstopening and the at least one barrier device, and a second space betweenthe at least one barrier device and the second opening, wherein the atleast one passing room comprises walls defining a single, substantiallylinear path for each passing room from the first passing room opening,to the barrier device, to the second passing room opening; andselectively enabling, via at least one electronic control coupled to theat least one barrier device, passage through the at least one barrierdevice, based on the monitoring, wherein the at least one electroniccontrol actuates the at least one barrier device to permit or blockpassage through the at least one barrier device to thereby preventunauthorized access from the first area into the second area.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the first opening and the second opening ofthe container are located on opposite sides of an enclosing material.13. The method of claim 11, further comprising controlling ingress andegress between a first area adjacent the at least a first opening and asecond area adjacent the at least a second opening via at least onecontrol area disposed in the container adjacent to the at least onepassing room.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the controllingcomprises authorizing entry of a person into the second area.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the controlling comprises monitoring the atleast one passing room.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein thecontrolling comprises controlling the at least one barrier device so asto authorize or deny passage therethrough.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein a substantially linear walkway is provided between the at leastfirst opening and the at least second opening.
 18. An access system,comprising: a portable structure comprised of durable material enablingthe structure to withstand repeated lifting, placing and towing, thestructure including access openings defined as openings that provideaccess through the structure between a first area on one side of thestructure and a second area on a second side of the structure, all ofthe access openings being lockable or closable to prevent access throughthe structure, and wherein the first area and the second area defining asurface upon which the structure sits; at least one passing area in thestructure, the at least one passing area having at least a firstopening, and at least a second opening, and a pathway, wherein a floorof the at least one passing area spans between the first area and thesecond area such that the floor lays in a plane immediately adjacent thesurface defined with respect to the first area and the second area; atleast one turnstile in the pathway, defining a first space between thefirst opening and the at least one turnstile, and a second space betweenthe at least one turnstile and the second opening; and at least oneelectronically controlled security device coupled to the at least oneturnstile so that the at least one electronically controlled securitydevice actuates the at least one turnstile to permit or block passagethrough the at least one turnstile to thereby prevent unauthorizedaccess from the first area into the second area; wherein the at leastone passing area comprises walls defining a single, substantially linearpath for each passing room from the first passing room opening, to theturnstile, to the second passing room opening.
 19. An access controlsystem, comprising: a portable container comprised of durable materialenabling the portable container to withstand repeated lifting, placingand towing, the portable container including access openings defined asopenings that provide access through the portable container between afirst area on one side of the portable container and a second area on asecond side of the portable container, all of the access openings beinglockable or closable to prevent access through the portable container,and wherein the first area and the second area defining a surface uponwhich the container sits; at least one passing area disposed in thecontainer, the at least one passing area having at least a first passingarea opening, and at least a second passing area opening, and a pathway,wherein a floor of the at least one passing area spans between the firstarea and the second area such that the floor lays in a plane immediatelyadjacent the surface defined with respect to the first area and thesecond area; and at least one turnstile located in the pathway, defininga first space between the first passing area opening and the at leastone turnstile, and a second space between the at least one turnstile andthe second passing area opening; at least one electronic control coupledto the at least one turnstile so that the at least one electroniccontrol actuates the at least one turnstile to permit or block passagethrough the at least one turnstile to thereby prevent unauthorizedaccess from the first area into the second area; wherein the at leastone passing area comprises walls defining a single, substantially linearpath for each passing room from the first passing room opening, to theturnstile, to the second passing room opening.
 20. A method ofcontrolling passage, comprising: monitoring persons who are desiring topass through a portable structure comprised of durable material enablingthe portable container to withstand repeated lifting, placing andtowing, the portable container including access openings defined asopenings that provide access through the portable container between afirst area on one side of the portable container and a second area on asecond side of the portable container, all of the access openings beinglockable or closable to prevent access through the portable container,and wherein the first area and the second area defining a surface uponwhich the container sits, the structure including at least one passingarea, the at least one passing area having at least a first opening andat least a second opening and a substantially linear pathway between thefirst opening and the second opening, wherein a floor of the at leastone passing room spans between the first area and the second area suchthat the floor lays in a plane immediately adjacent the surface definedwith respect to the first area and the second area, and at least oneturnstile located in the pathway, defining a first space between thefirst opening and the at least one turnstile, and a second space betweenthe at least one turnstile and the second opening, wherein the at leastone passing area comprises walls defining a single, substantially linearpath for each passing room from the first passing room opening, to thebarrier device, to the second passing room opening; and selectivelyenabling, via at least one electronic control coupled to the at leastone turnstile, passage through the at least one turnstile, based on themonitoring, wherein the at least one electronic control actuates the atleast one barrier device to permit or block passage through the at leastone barrier device to thereby prevent unauthorized access from the firstarea into the second area.
 21. An access control system, comprising: aportable container comprised of durable material enabling the portablecontainer to withstand repeated lifting, placing and towing, theportable container including access openings defined as openings thatprovide access through the portable container between a first area onone side of the portable container and a second area on a second side ofthe portable container, all of the access openings being lockable orclosable to prevent access through the portable container, and whereinthe first area and the second area defining a surface upon which thecontainer sits; at least one passing room disposed in the portablecontainer, the at least one passing room having at least a first passingroom opening, and at least a second passing room opening, and a walkwayin-between, wherein a floor of the at least one passing room spansbetween the first area and the second area such that the floor lays in aplane immediately adjacent the surface defined with respect to the firstarea and the second area; at least one barrier device located in thepassing room, defining a first space between the first passing roomopening and the at least one barrier device, and a second space betweenthe at least one barrier device and the second passing room opening; andat least one electronic control coupled to the at least one barrierdevice so that the at least one electronic control actuates the at leastone barrier device to permit or block passage through the at least onebarrier device to thereby prevent unauthorized access from the firstarea into the second area; at least one control area including at leastone control panel, wherein the at least one control panel controls theat least one electronic control to enable a person to monitor the atleast one passing room from the at least one control area; wherein theat least one passing room comprises walls defining a path for eachpassing room from the first passing room opening, to the barrier device,to the second passing room opening; wherein the at least one passingroom contains the at least one electronic control, which iselectronically coupled to the at least one barrier device to provideauthorization for a person to pass through the at least one barrierdevice; and wherein the at least one electronic control includes one ormore card readers, one or more metal detectors, one or more biometricreaders, one or more iris scanners, one or more fingerprint readers, oneor more facial recognition technology, one or more explosive detectors,one or more electronic key locks, or one or more mechanical key locks,or a combination of two or more thereof.